These are pictures taken in and around Kratie, a town along the Mekong River in northeastern Cambodia. One of Cambodia’s proposed mainstream dams lies not far to the north and is controversial for the impact it could have on the river’s ecosystem.

Supporters of a controversial dam in one of Asia's poorest countries say it will bring huge economic benefits. Critics say it could threaten fisheries and rice cultivation, threatening the livelihoods of millions.

A cornerstone of the government's development plan is a promise to electrify every home in Timor-Leste within just a few years. But communities living in the shadow of the power plant supposed to jumpstart this transformation know little or nothing about its impact.

The Nam Theun 2 dam has gotten high marks for how its social and environmental impact was managed. The story of the Xayaburi dam, however, appears to be following a different course – one that critics say could accelerate the deterioration of one of the world’s most productive rivers.

The Nam Theun 2 dam has gotten high marks for how its social and environmental impact was managed. The story of the Xayaburi dam, however, appears to be following a different course – one that critics say could accelerate the deterioration of one of the world’s most productive rivers.

Monk Forest is one of 13 community forests totaling more than 250 square miles in Odder Meanchey province whose value in fighting climate change is being marketed in an international exchange of what are called avoided deforestation carbon credits.

Laos is among the poorest and least developed countries in Asia, and its communist government contends that hydropower, along with revenues generated from exporting it, can underwrite much of the country's progress. However, environmentalists warn that Laos' nine proposed mainstream dams could be environmentally devastating.

Sorng Rukavorn forest became a prized prayer ground at the turn of the century, when a senior Buddhist monk sought an undisturbed location for his disciples. Instead of living in peaceful isolation, however, the monks have had to fend off illegal loggers and corrupt local officials.

If the Swiss family Robinson were beamed down to northern Laos, they might have come up with something like the Gibbon Experience. Guests live and sleep high in the jungle canopy, and spend the days searching for the elusive black crested gibbon.